If you grow your own fruit and vegetables, you will always have a glut. One of the easiest ways to store and keep your glut fresh, is by freezing it. However, not everything is suitable for freezing. Lettuce, radish, kale and cucumber are just a few things that aren’t suitable for the freezer. Continue reading
Courgettes and marrows are technically the same fruit, however marrows are left on the plant to grow for longer. They are a prolific cropper and you will always end up with more than you can eat. They are also easy to grow and look after, making them perfect for a beginner. Continue reading
Drying fruit is a simple but effective way of preserving them, allowing you to use them over a period of a few weeks or months. The key in preserving fruit this way is to ensure all moisture has gone. Any moisture left over could allow mould to develop. One simple way of drying fruit is to oven dry them. Continue reading
Trawling through YouTube the other day, I spotted a video on how to dismantle a wooden pallet. Having done this a few weeks ago, this method seems to be a lot easier than what I was doing.
If anyone has any other useful tips for dismantling a pallet, I’d like to hear them. Email me at hamesy202 at gmail dot com
Leeks are a winter staple. They are hardy plants and require very little attention apart from watering in dry weather. They do however, like a sheltered spot with well-drained soil. Continue reading
Traditionally, August has the best of the summer weather. However, autumn and winter is only round the corner, so it’s time to start planning ahead. Continue reading
July is generally one of the driest months of the year so most of your time will be spent watering. Generally, a good soaking every two-three days is better than a little bit of water every day. You can save yourself a lot of time and water by mulching with organic matter.
The risk of frost will have passed and so if you’ve yet to plant out those tender plants, now is the time to do it. There is still plenty to do on the plot but with the extra daylight available, you should have plenty of time to get on top of things. Continue reading
No vegetable plot is complete without runner beans. They are probably the most productive vegetable you can grow and you will often give them away. Because they are so productive, they require humus-rich soil, and it is often a good idea to build a bean trench.
May can be one of the busiest months of the year for a gardener. The soil is warming up and things should be growing quite well now. However it is worth keeping an eye on the weather, late frosts are not unknown and catch people out. If a frost is forecast, cover young and vulnerable plants with a fleece.